Effective Mentoring for Students Brian D. Saunders, MD, FACS Associate Professor of Surgery and Medicine Director of Undergraduate Surgical Education Penn State College of Medicine Trouble Shooting Your Clerkship 105 April 22,

Disclosures None 2

Objectives To describe the mentoring process and its central role in professional development To identify the risks and benefits for all parties in a mentoring relationship To dispel some common myths about mentoring 3

What do you do all day? Endocrine surgeon Teacher Investigator Administrator Mentor Mentee 4

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“No man is an island” “Meditation XVII,” John Donne 6

Definition men·tor noun \ˈmen-ˌtȯr, -tər\ : someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person 7

Synonyms CoachGuru TrainerTutor AdvisorTeacher CounsellorInstructor GuideParent 8

The goal of a mentoring relationship To build capacity and self reliance in the mentee 9

It is not … Making clones Dealing with underperforming individuals Dealing with personal issues Therapy Allowing people to moan/whine/vent ….. except, maybe sometimes 10

Mentors Sought for 1:1 consultation Know their mentees Interactive Role Models Observed and imitated May not know audience Passive Vs. 11

The process of mentoring 12

Stages of mentoring Initiation Cultivation Separation Redefinition 13

Critical elements Respect Trust Listening skills 14

Types of mentoring functions Career – Help the mentee learn the ropes and prepare for career advancement Psychosocial – Help the mentee develop a sense of competence and clarity of identity 15

Hidden curriculum Model the behavior you are asking of others The mentee unconsciously adopts aspects of the mentor’s thinking, behaviors, and/or style 16

Qualities of a mentor Positive: – Sincere desire to help – Sound judgment – Independent thinking – A tendency to think divergently – Good humor – Trustworthy and ensures confidentiality 17

Qualities of a mentor Negative: – Attempts to undermine or compete with mentee – Dominates the relationship – Seeks a clone – Does the work for the mentee – Manages the mentee as a supervisor would – Know-it-all 18

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Qualities of a mentee Positive: – Takes initiative (to begin and drive the relationship) – Goal oriented – Seeks, accepts, and acts on feedback – Listens – Takes an active role in their own learning – Self-aware – Allocates time and energy for the relationship – Responsible for commitments 20

Qualities of a mentee Negative: – Know-it-all – Unwilling to expend the time – Avoids decisions and relies exclusively on the mentor – Submissive – Acquiesces to or over-idealizes the mentor 21

Advantages of mentoring Mentor: – Career enhancement – “Passing the torch to a new generation” – Learning (new technologies, new developments) – Share their expertise with another – Prove themselves as valuable leaders – Obtain a fresh perspective on the development process – Invest in the career of others – Recognition 22

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Advantages of mentoring Mentee: – Career advancement – Professional identity – Experienced guidance and support – Increased self-awareness and self-discipline – An expanded personal and professional network – A sounding board for testing ideas and plans – Constructive feedback on personal and professional development areas – Doors opened – Different perspective 24

Risks of mentoring Mentor: – Time and energy commitment to mentee – Mentee dependence on mentor – Negative halo from mentee who fails 25

Risks of mentoring Mentee: – Overdependence on mentor – Micro-management of mentor – Negative halo from mentor who fails 26

Myths of mentoring Mentoring is monogamous (can be teams) It only happens on a long-term, face-to- face, basis Mentors needs to be older and more experienced Only the mentee gains benefits Taking the time to mentor decreases productivity 27

Advice to potential mentors Recognize that mentee may be uncomfortable with asking for help – break the ice by sharing some of your career experiences Stay in your zone of expertise/experience Extend the mentee’s network – suggest additional mentors to address unique needs Be clear that the mentee sets the pace Advise, do not manage 28

What does the research reveal? With mentoring in academic medicine … – Mentees rate overall well-being as higher – Mentees have an increased sense of security, hope about the future, and motivation Mentoring was deemed an important influence on: – Personal development – Career guidance – Research productivity (publications, grant success) – Development of professional competence – Establishing professional network Allowed students to identify themselves more as doctors 29

Additional conclusions Most surveyed say lack of mentoring is the #1 or #2 most important factor hindering career progress in academic medicine Women perceive more difficulty finding mentors Same gender or same race matches are not essential Maintaining clear boundaries is essential for an effective relationship 30

Truly complete mentor Serves as an advisor/guide, developer of talent/coach, opener of doors/advocate, role model, interpreter of organizational or professional rules, protector, rule setter/boss, and carries on all of these functions of a long- term basis. W. Silen, MD Dean for Faculty Development and Diversity, Harvard Medical School,

Thank you